Day 1: Cusco – Pisac – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Your two-day tour to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu starts with a 8:00 am pick up from your hotel in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft). Relax on your drive as you pass through the ancient Inca sites of Sasayhuaman and Tambomachay on your way into the valley.

Your first stop is in Pisac (3,400 m / 11,154 ft), which is divided into two parts. It contains an archeological site located on top of the mountain. It’s in a spot that is extremely safe and secure, therefore it has a low threat level from enemies or floods. This site is home to the largest Incan cemetery in Cusco, which is located on a steep slope. The second part of Pisac is the town located on the bank of the Urubamba river, famous because it’s home to the largest handicraft market in the region of Cusco. While there, you will be able to purchase hand-made souvenirs.

After spending time browsing the handicraft market, you will continue along the Sacred Valley towards Urubamba (2,870 m / 9,416 ft) to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with different Peruvian dishes. Once you’re done, you’ll continue driving along the Urubamba river until reaching the Archaeological Park of Ollantaytambo (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), “The Last Living Inca City”. The famous Inca emperor Pachacutec conquered Ollantaytambo around the mid-15th century. The town Ollantaytambo as well as the nearby region were his personal estate. After his conquest, the emperor rebuilt the town and undertook extensive works of terracing and irrigation in the Urubamba Valley. Therefore, the terraces were farmed. Ollantaytambo is one of the best preserved Inca towns in Peru. Many of the sites you will see there were built in the Inca time and are a combination out of stone and mud bricks.

Here, you’ll board the train at the station. This train ride, which lasts an average of one and a half hours, transports you along the impressive Urubamba River.

Machu Picchu is located in a transition point between the “Sierra” (highlands) region and the upper jungles of Peru; meaning that once you’ve reached the train station in the town of Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 6,561 ft) aka Machu Picchu pueblo, you’ll find the climate to be pleasant, somewhat humid, and overall pretty temperate.

A well-deserved meal and night’s sleep in a hotel awaits you in the town, along with the anticipation of soon witnessing one of the world’s greatest wonders.

• Meals included: lunch & dinner
• Pisac altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
• Ollantaytambo altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
• Aguas Calientes altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco 

After a very early breakfast at the hotel, you’ll start the bus ride to your final destination, Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft). The bus ride takes 30 minutes. On a two-hour tour, your guide will offer insight into structures like the Guard House and the Temple of the Sun, as well as the terraces hillsides and royal residences. Some edifices are more mysterious, and point to the Inca’s profound astronomical insight.

If you’re ready for more hiking, consider an additional side trip to the top of Huayna Picchu (2,720 m / 8,923 ft), the mountain next to Machu Picchu that offers an incredible view of the site, many people come here just for the photographs looking for a different perspective of this world wonder.

Once you’ve toured Machu Picchu, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. After having lunch, you’ll hop on the train to begin your return to Cusco. A private bus will be waiting for you at the train station to bring you back to your Cusco hotel.

Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability

• Meals included: breakfast & lunch
• Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
• Huayna Picchu altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
• Inti Punku altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft

Transportation and tickets

• Hotel pick up in Cusco
• Private transport to the Sacred Valley
• Entrance fee tickets to all Archaeological Sites
• Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Entrance fee ticket to Machu Picchu
• Round trip bus tickets Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Hotel drop off in Cusco

Accommodation

• One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes 3***

Team

• Pre-departure briefing
• Top-level local Tour Guide
• Personalized service
• Small group tour max 8 people
• Private walking tour in Machu Picchu
• Guaranteed departure

Food

• Lunch & dinner on first day
• Breakfast & lunch on second day

• Gratuities
• Thermal baths in Aguas Calientes
• Travel insurance
• International or local airfare
• Dinner in Cusco
• Hotel in Cusco